New Emirati lunar mission has been announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai announced a new Emirati lunar mission today, Rashid 2. The mission will be undertaken by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).

Sheikh Mohammed visited the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and met with the team behind the UAE's first effort to land a rover on the lunar surface alongside Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed emphasised the necessity of perseverance for success in the space industry and declared that the UAE would keep launching new space exploration missions.

Despite the Rashid Rover's failed effort to touch down on the moon, he stated that "we kept our aspirations high".

He continued, "Emiratis have demonstrated their capacity to produce cutting-edge space projects and swiftly create a strong national space economy. "Within just 10 years, the UAE created a space industry from scratch. The nation's aspirational ambition for space exploration served as the impetus for the Rashid Rover project.

Any space mission, according to Sheikh Hamdan, must manage significant risk in a scientifically sound manner in order to further exploration and research.

The UAE, according to Sheikh Hamdan, will keep expanding its knowledge and creating a cutting-edge space industry. The biggest risk in life is not taking any risks, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid once said in conversation with the MBRSC team.

He continued: "Today, under the directives and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we announce the launch of the Rashid 2 project, a new Emirati attempt to reach the moon." He made note that the UAE is about to embark on a new phase of space research.

The national team of the Emirates Lunar Mission (ELM) was contacted by Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan following the iSpace confirmation of the HAKUTO-R lander's disastrous landing on Wednesday.

MBRSC achieved its lofty goal of creating the world's most compact rover and becoming the first Arab and Emirati rover to reach the lunar orbit prior to the landing attempt onboard iSpace's HAKUTO-R lander through the Emirates Lunar Mission. These accomplishments are significant for a country's first lunar trip and demonstrate the UAE's dedication to furthering space exploration.